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Everest Base Camp

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On Wednesday we trekked from Gorek Shep to Everest Base Camp (5300m). Once again adjectives cannot describe the spectacular scenery. We walked along a very rocky ridge line at the side of a valley covered in rocks. We had been elevating a couple of hours before we realised that these rocks were covering a glacier probably 600? deep, and nearly 1 mile wide, called the Khumbu glacier.

Eventually, the multi-coloured tents of base camp came into view, pitched amongst the ice pinnacles and sitting at the base of the ice fall. The Khumbu ice flow is indescribable with crevasses, seracs, and ice towers totally dominating the landscape. It looks impossible to pass yet the Sherpas get through it in about one and a half hours ? a feat the climbing team find incredible.

Last night the expedition team gave a presentation on the progress so far. Caudwell Xtreme Everest camp is like a small village. Generators and batteries back up labs, office and medical centre, and of course the torture chamber; home of the infamous bike ramp test, where your heart and lungs explode. The science involved in this expedition impresses the more you understand, and the more you understand the more you realise how much is not understood. I am so delighted and proud to be associated with such a major piece of research with such beneficial potential.

I did two interviews on Thursday, one for the BBC West Midlands and the other for MacGillivray Freeman who are filming a sequel to their IMAX blockbuster ?Everest?.

I probably won?t be in touch for the next few days while we are camping in isolation on our own at Lobuje base camp. So wish us luck and I will be back on line as soon as possible.

I am really missing everybody at home ? it?s been a long time! Rufus ? your poem was so fabulous and brought tears to my eyes, but especially knowing that you are back at school. I am so proud of you and cannot wait to see you. To Rebekah and Libby ? I hope you are having a great time in Italy, Reba as fount of all knowledge and Libby as internal and intellectual sponge. I love you both. And then of course, my gorgeous Claire and little Jacobi, who is such a little character and full of fun ? I will be home soon!

Comments on this article

By: Corinne	When: 11th Jun 2007 11:20
Would it be at all possible to put the photograph of Group Ms arrival at BCE up for all to see ? Just so that everyone knows we made it? Many thanks

By: kathy george	When: 9th May 2007 10:11
Hi John Claire is keeping us all updated and says you should reach summit today! Loads and loads of luck, we all miss you, keep safe love kathy xx

By: claire johnson

When: 8th May 2007 22:57

you will probably be on your way by now,but we are wishing you love ,luck and the strength to reach the summit . Go Johnny Go ! ! !
Jacobi and I visited Kate and Rufus tonight . Jacobi had a wonderful time , he loves his big brother very much . Rufus looked great,he had a good day at school and settling in well . Aunty Kate told Jacobi she had a flying car like Harry Potter so Jacobi spent every single second of the journey home asking why did it fly and to tell you he doesn't want any fireworks.
I am very tired and going to bed now,but cannot wait for tommorow to hopefully hear from you when you will be on top of the world !
goodnight and good luck my darling .
Love from your Chloe & your little Jacobi . xxxxxx

By: Claire Waller

When: 8th May 2007 18:31

Hi John, I was just thinking about you and wondering how you are and Frank Sinatra came on the radio singing My Way and I was transported back to that fabulous night in November when you said goodbye to your staff....what a long time ago that seems at the minute. The words seem even more appropriate now than then, Claire is right, that song was written for you! I hope your symptoms have started to get better, everyone is worried about you and wants you home safely, in one piece!! Im off for the old torture at the hospital tomorrow, but I will still be checking on your progress. keep safe, love to Brian, see you soon, Clairabelle xx

By: meg wardle

When: 8th May 2007 17:43

hi john i hope your having the most amazing time ever or atleast you will when your health improves!!!!! You know your not the only ones having an adventure, last week mummy, deborah and aunty claire cycled all the way to ecceshall from our house and even managed to go shopping in moet afterwards. Then they came home so not asmuch of an adventure as you're on but still they do try!!!! i really hope that you start to feel better soon and good luck on your climb to the summit tomorrow!!! Say hi to brian for me and wish him all my best!!!!

love from meg xxxx

ps. WHAT ARE CRAMPONS ANYWAY???????

By: ellie wardle

When: 8th May 2007 17:32

hi uncle john i really hope you make it to the summit good luck, get well soon everyone says hi and hopes to see you on your return take some picciz for us so that we can see what it was really like up there in the clouds

lots of love ellie xxxxxxx

By: Michele

When: 8th May 2007 16:23

Hi John, it was great to see you on the BBC last week looking so good and fresh faced, however, I think you should ditch the moustache before you return! I never thought I would say this, but it has been so long that I am actually starting to miss you, well, slightly anyway! .................... You need to hurry back safely and start cracking that big whip again! Say hello to Brian for me and a hugh good luck to both of you for a safe climb on Lobuje. But, please make sure you are fully recovered from your chest infection first! Michele xx

By: Tony and Hazel	When: 7th May 2007 21:36
Whistler ice climbing hopefully stood you in good stead but that will be very tame compared to this fantastic achievement. The sheer face of the Chief overlooking Squamish now awaits.!!!! Take great care John and and we send best wishes to you and all the team for a safe descent and homecoming.

By: Rebekah Caudwell

When: 7th May 2007 21:19

Not sure when you'llread this as I don't suppose there will be a convenient internet cafe on the knife edge of Lobuje East - oh lordy i do hope i'm exaggerating about that! But thought i'd email anyway as this seems to have become a happy fixture of my day. I head back to London tomorrow, on with the last of the preps for the wonderful incomparable AHA - art tours in Italy for Gap Year students if anyone is reading and interested. Look up Art History Abroad on the Net, Sorry Dad, back to you. Or rather me. Oh, okay - Libs. Libs is having a fabulous time after a somewhat tremulous start. i think engaging brain power after a 9 month shut-down has been a serious shock to the system! Rufus is back to school again tomorrow which is a bit nerve-wracking for him as there is no continuity and pattern established as yet. His tennis is coming on amazingly and he starts competing in tournaments next weekend i think. Mum had a lovely birthday with coach loads of people coming to see her and an obscene number of cards. something is seriously wrong in my life. I received 2 on the day this past birthday, one from grant and one from libs and that was because they were both there staying in my flat. Admittedly i did get lovely cards from you and ma at a later date... I'm rooting for you every step of the way (literally) and think it's an incredibly brave things to do, especially with vertigo. or perhaps just nuts?! I love you very much and can't wait to hear from you again. this silence on the blog page is no fun... Your Reba xxx

By: Jim Heath	When: 7th May 2007 19:38
Just to keep you two footy fans in touch with the latest. Stoke slipped up at the last hurdle. Could have done with you lending them your crampons. Hope you are both acclimatising well. Safe climbing on Lobuje. Just off to read " How to feel good coming second " by Stoke City FC. Didnt bother getting you a copy! Jim and Jill

By: ant & dec ( steve )

When: 7th May 2007 18:00

having a great time bbquing in pouring rain ! roast beef is sublime and perfectly cooked (brown on the outside and even browner on the inside ) complimented with a cheeky little french number - bet everest sounds better now ! steve and i are cycling extensively at present , can't wait for a friday night to the boat when you are back . p.s.extensively means once to the shops - better get you back on the Atkins !!! looking forward to your BALL next week - by which time it will be in london . ant & steve xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

By: Rhiannon Caudwell

When: 7th May 2007 13:34

Oh Daddy! I'm so sorry i haven't been in touch - i haven't been able to get o an internet cafe! Oh i am so proud of you... You are doing so so incredibly well. I can't imagine how horredous it is feeling so ill all the time and getting no sleep. I have been thinking about you so much and trying not to panic - i know you will be careful. I am having a wondrous time in Italy and am also having my brain expanded so maybe when we meet again we can share our newly acquired wisdom. I love you so so so much and can't tell you how much i miss you da. Enjoy the next week and feel extremely proud of yourself every single day. All my love - Lily xxxx

By: claire johnson

When: 6th May 2007 16:15

Congratulations to my king of the mountain ! what a peak of achievment and with more to come,you are our hero. GET well soon though and do not attemt the summit unless your chesty cold gets better. There is always another time . stephen and Isabell's may ball was fabulous,met loads of grest people and it was a successful night for scope ,lots money raised. Cherie Blair treated us to some ball room dancing. Loads people send their love and best wishes to you .I was chatting to a guy about you and i asked him 'what do you do ?'he replied 'im Steve McClaren,the england football manager' felt bit embarressed ,but he sends his regards to you. Jacobi is so funny ,he is riding his proper bike along the thames . stay in touch.Love you,Chloe & Jacobi xxxxxxxx

By: Jim Heath	When: 6th May 2007 02:19
Hi John. Fantastic news to hear of you reaching yet another high! Great to learn all about the adventure on line and to hear you are all safe. Will let you know all the news on SCFC's relentless climb towards their goal! To be fair the clever money was always on you and Brian. Both of you stay safe and see you in London (and hopefully Wembley). Jim

By: Jill Heath

When: 6th May 2007 01:08

Hey JC and BC. Huge ,huge congratulations on your achievement and to all who have taken part. This is how science evolves by pushing the boundaries...it must feel fantastic to have taken part in such an experience, especially through such uncomfortable and punishing times. Well done, we are all really proud of you. Good luck with Lobuje and please, please take care... we all want you back in one piece. See you soon. Lots of love from Jillybean xxxxxx

By: Luke Newman	When: 6th May 2007 01:04
Msg for Paul: Well done dad! you made it, we werent sure what day you were going to be at base camp. i saw todays photo of trek F with you in it, just about to leave base camp. ill try and remember to tell mum before she goes to spain tomorow morning! good luck for the rest of the trek. see you soon. luke x

By: Stephen Wardle	When: 5th May 2007 23:31
Many many congratulations Brian and John. Truly an amazing achievement for you all. We wish you every success with Lobuje, but be careful, we are sure you can do it. Are you keeping the moustache and stubble for the Ball? Laura says she could almost fancy you looking like that.All our love to you both Laura and Steve

By: Karen	When: 5th May 2007 19:49
hello john congratulations for coming this far and good luck for the rest of the way.i no u can do it. best wishes for lobuje.take care.love karen..xxxx

By: Dani Caudwell

When: 5th May 2007 19:29

Message for BC
Hi there pops!! Well done to you, for reaching base camp, im extremely proud of you, more than words can say!
Am still missing you loads, and cant wait to see you in a few weeks when you get home. Im doing ok here, lots of work as usual, hopefully it will all pay off!
Well millions and trillions of luck for the next bit of the climb, i know you can do it - you know what you say to me - "a bit of hard work is good for you" so right back at you! Stay safe and healthy and i will see you soon, love you millions Reltaxxxxx

By: Dom caudwell	When: 5th May 2007 18:11
Hey Pops, CONGRATULATIONS to you and uncle john for succeeding, what you put in you get out! I know you will be out of service when you get this message, however still loads of love and support from the famille. Miss you millions, and for goodness sake be cafeful on that mountain. Lots of surprises waiting at home for your return, take care, lots of hugs and kisses xxx

By: Rebekah Caudwell

When: 5th May 2007 15:46

Dearest Daddy, i'm not sure when you'll get this now as it sounds as though you're going to be out of touch. Anyway a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS! All the huger for having faced such adversity on the climb. Well at least the medical team had real VFM out of you!

I'm up with Mum for the bank holiday weekend, heading out to Italy next Saturday so Lila has one more week's reprive from my beady eye and insufferable knowledge!!!

Rue has had a great week starting back at school. He has done so well and has found to his surprise that although it's not easy, it IS rather enjoyable. Hurrah for Rufus. He is climbing his own Everest. And he seems to be doing it with your verve and determination.

I'm going to search desperately until i find this West Mids interview you and Claire have mentioned. It will be most reassuring to see you in the flesh. Fabulous as your blogs are they leave you sadly disembodied. And i'm wondering if you've turned into a skeletal shadow of your former self as some climbers seem to have done.

I know i stand in danger of wearing the plea out but please be careful climbing Lobuje East. It's only a great achievement if you survive! Having said that i hope you have the most wonderful time, and seeing as you're on a roll with your budding writing career, do you think you could write on paper - do you have any? does it freeze? do pens work? - your experiences up there. I would love to read them and they'd be great for you to look back on too.

Good Luck. Love you big as a mountain... Reba xxx

By: Claire Waller

When: 5th May 2007 14:23

Dear Dear John. I have just seem your interview on Midlands Today and it was so good to see and hear you at last. I have sent the link to Rufus so that he can watch it on his laptop! The place looks so fabulous, this is an experience that will be with you for ever. If one life is saved from this research it is worthwhile, but I an sure that lots of people are going to benefit from the results. I hope you are feeling better - we are all worried about you pushing yourself to the limit - as you do Im having my shoulders manipulated again on Wed - Good old Nic is going to put my through agony again to see if we can get a bit more movement! I am actually beginning to like pain......Love you lots Clairabelle xx

By: Teresa	When: 5th May 2007 13:08
Congratulations! You made it! Again -congratulations and thankyou for making an awesome Mother of all Expeditions possible. Best wishes for Lobuje. Enjoy and come back safely. Best wishes from South Africa.

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